Naval game apparatus with multiple illuminated playing surfaces



NAVAL GAME APPARATUS WITH MULTIPLE ILLUMINAIED PLAYING SURFACES Filed Aug. 28, 1967 April 28, 1970 s. A. MACKEY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 L/ VERPOOL INVENTOR. STEVEN A. MACKEY AGENT April 28, 1970 s. A. MACKEY NAVAL GAME APPARATUS WITH MULTIPLE ILLUMINATED PLAYING SURFACES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 28, 1967 m ON 9 w STEVEN A. MACKEY BY %fi% mm vm mm mm AGENT mm ,2 4:51 mw mm r llff/ f/ll/lif fllllllll/ f/llll/llllfl/y/fiw mm A ril 28, 1970 s. A. MACKEY NAVAL GAME APPARATUS WITH MULTIPLE ILLUMINATED PLAYING SURFACES Filed Aug. 28, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 VI m C WA V M N 1 A N E V m AGENT United States Patent O 3,508,753 NAVAL GAME APPARATUS WITH MULTIPLE ILLUMINATED PLAYING SURFACES Steven A. Mackey, Tacoma, Wash., assignor of ten percent to Floyd W. Ayers, ten percent to Oran A. Conklin, ten percent to Andrew F. Mackey, and five percent to Lucile D. Solberg, all of Tacoma, Wash., five percent to Elvin I. Hoe], Kent, Wash., five percent to Kenneth R. G. Taylor, Bellevue, Wash, and one percent to Theron H. Nichols, Seattle, Wash.

Filed Aug. 28, 1967, Ser. No. 663,609 Int. Cl. A63f 3/02 U.S. Cl. 273131 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A naval game apparatus with multiple illuminated playing surfaces comprising a rectangular box having two translucent playing surfaces, one spaced immediately above the other, with playing pieces, including replicas of ships and depth charges on the top surface and replicas of submarines and torpedos on the lower surface. Permanent walls under the lower surface divide the game board into quadrants, each quadrant having a separate light source and switch whereby any one quadrant may be lighted at the desired time by a player. The translucence of the two surfaces maintains the lower surface playing pieces invisible until those in a particular quadrant, and only that quadrant, are rendered visible by the turning on of the light for the desired quadrant. With the lower playing pieces comprising a ferromagnetic material, a magnetic guide on the upper surface is utilized to move the playing pieces about on the lower level.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved game apparatus, and more particularly to a table type of game employing playing pieces generally analogous to war ships on a double surface type of game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to a skill naval game apparatus utilizing two translucent levels or surfaces, the playing pieces on the lower surface being invisible until certain selected areas of the surface are lighted momentarily, the playing pieces being movable with magnetic pieces.

Accordingly, most objectionable problems encountered by the prior art games are solved by the disclosed game apparatus.

OBJECTS A principal object of this invention is to provide a naval game apparatus of the contest type normally intended to be played by two opponents upon a playing field and comprising a convoy of ships for crossing a marine area and a submarine unit for preventing the crossing.

Another principal object of this invention is the provision of a game apparatus having a playing field that is a realistic simulation of a submarine battle area and employing surface ships, submarines, depth charges, and torpedos which may be deployed in a variety of arrangements.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel game apparatus divided into four independently and manually controlled lighted sections for viewing, planning and executing ones naval tactics unseen by the other player.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel game apparatus having playing pieces on one level moved by magnetic guide pieces on a second level.

3,508,753 Patented Apr. 28, 1970 A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel game apparatus having two parallel translucent playing surfaces with playing pieces on both surfaces, those playing pieces on the lower surface being normally invisible, and any selected portion of the playing surface being lighted when appropriate to reveal the hidden playing pieces in that portion.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a novel game apparatus that is versatile.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a combination of two playing boards and movable playing pieces on the different boards and which may be used in various games of skill or to impart knowledge to students of navel or miltary tactics of the art of maneuvering fighting units.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a game apparatus which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, entertaining, relaxing, educational, while requiring a certain degree of mental effort, and easily understood by players of all ages.

Other objetcs and various advantages of the disclosed skill battle contest game board will be apparent from the following detailed description, together with the accompanying drawings, submitted for purposes of illustration only and not intended to define the scope of the invention, reference being had for that purpose to the subjoined claims.

The drawings diagrammatically illustrate by Way of eX- ample, not by way of limitation, one form of the invention, like reference numerals designating similar and corresponding parts in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game board with parts cut away for clarity of disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the game board with parts broken away;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the game board taken at 33 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken at 4-4 on FIG. 3 with parts cut away for clarity of disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit of the game board;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary isometric view of a portion of the game board and some of the playing pieces; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the center portion of the game board, illustrating the compass rose symbol thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates the game board 10 comprising basically two spaced apart playing surfaces, upper surface 11 and lower surface 12, both playing surfaces being mounted over and spaced from a base 13. Dividers 14, 15, 16, and 17 divide the space between the base 13 and the lower playing surface 12 into suitable equal size compartments, such as, but not limited to, quadrants, identified for example in FIG. 2 as the NE, SE, SW, and NW quadrants.

As shown on the plan view of the game in FIG. 2, game board electrical lights 18, 19, 20, and 21 for quadrants NE, SE, SW, and NW, respectively, are mounted on the base and switches 22, 23, 24, and 25, or rheostats, if so desired, for controlling the lights are mounted on the side wall 26 between end walls 27 and 28, side wall 29 being on the south side.

Upper and lower playing surfaces 11 and 12 preferably are comprised of a translucent material, as Fiberglas, or like plastic material, of which the upper playing surface 11 may be colored, in order to maintain the playing pieces on the lower surface invisible when no game board lights are on. Thus when any one light is turned on by its switch, the light in that particular quadrant is well diffused to clearly reveal the exact position of all playing pieces on the lower level 12 of that particular quadrant. If so desired, the lower playing surface 12 may comprise a trans-- parent material such as clear plastic.

While the desired game design 30, FIG. 2, may be printed or inlaid directly on the upper playing surface 11 if so desired, a sheet of clear plastic overlying the upper playing surface 11 and formed of acetate, for example, may be utilized, having the desired game design printed thereon, in this preferred embodiment, the Atlantic Ocean and bordering countries. Playing spaces are formed by longitudinal lines 31 and latitude lines 32.

Also, on one edge of the game board, as the north edge, for example, a row of small pegging holes 48, FIG. 2, is situated for maintaining count and status of the torpedos. When each is fired, a green peg is inserted in a hole. After it has run its course, whether a hit or a miss, the green peg is replaced with a red peg.

FIG. 3 illustrates the internal construction of the two quadrants NE and SE, showing upper playing surface 11, having a game design 30, and supported on side, end, and center spacers (only side spacers 33 and 34 and center spacer 35 being shown in FIG. 3), above lower playing surface 12. Lower playing surface 12 rests on side and end walls 26, 27, 28, and 29', the walls being attached to the base 13 having air cooling openings 36. A side trim piece 37 is utilized around the peripheral edges and feet 38 may be added. The playing surface assembly comprises surfaces 11 and 12, side spacers 33 and 34, end spacers (not shown), center spacer 35, and trim piece 37.

FIG. 4 shows the control panel 39 containing the switches 22, 23, 24, and 25 for their respective quadrants, NE, SE, SW, and NW. The cutaway at the top of FIG. 4 shows the space 40 between the upper playing surface 11 and the lower playing surface 12 for certain playing pieces, as the submarines and torpedos in the instant game apparatus, the latter two playing pieces consisting of a ferromagnetic material.

FIG. discloses a schematic wiring diagram for the four lights 18, 19, 20, and 21 controlled by the four switches 22, 23, 24, and 25 for lighting any one of the four sectors or quadrants NE, SE, SW, and NW when desired.

FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of the SW quadrant showing construction details of the game apparatus and typical positions of a set of playing pieces, as freighters 41, destroyer 42, submarines 43, torpedo 44, and depth charges 45.

Between the upper playing surface 11 and the lower playing surface 12 are slots 46, FIG. 6, and 47, FIG. 1, cut into the side spacer 34 and trim piece 37, FIG. 6. Similar slots (not shown) are on the other side, all for inserting the playing pieces onto the lower playing surface, as the submarines and torpedos.

Surfaces 11 and 12 are removable (1) for providing immediate and easy access to the base assembly for changes of light bulbs and (2) for substitution of the playing surfaces with the playing surfaces having a design for another strategy type of war game, when desired.

A magnet 49, FIG. 6, is utilized for movement of the playing pieces on the lower playing surface by placing the magnet on the upper playing surface directly over the piece to be moved and lifting and moving the piece to the desired position, then raising the magnet straight up until the piece drops directly into position.

FIG. 7 discloses the center portion of the playing board. It comprises a compass rose 50 printed or inlaid on the upper surface 11.

In summary, a novel submarine game apparatus is disclosed comprising a submarine battle area and employing surface ships, depth charges, submarines, and torpedos, and having two translucent playing levels divided into four independently lighted and manually controlled sectors. Magnetic guide pieces are utilized to move the lower level playing pieces.

I claim:

1. A game apparatus for at least two players playing a game thereon comprising:

(a) a game board, said game board comprising a quadrilateral frame with a base,

(b) a first translucent playing surface secured to said frame and spaced above said base forming therewith a lower area,

(c) vertical dividers secured in said frame for dividing said lower area into a plurality of compartments,

(d) a light mounted in each of said compartments,

(e) a second translucent playing surface mounted on said frame and spaced above said first playing surface,

(f) playing pieces on both of said playing surfaces for being moved in the course of the game, and

(g) an independent switch means for each compartment light for controlling the lighting of the appropriate compartment independently of all other compartment lights.

2. In combination with a frame having a base,

(a) a light transmitting lower playing surface means for said frame and spaced above said base to form therewith a lower area,

(b) vertical dividing means for dividing said lower area into compartments,

(c) a plurality of light means, one light means for each of said lower compartments for illumination each compartment independently of the other compartments, independently operable switch means for each lower compartment,

(d) light transmitting upper playing surface means for said frame and spaced above said lower playing surface means, and

(e) playing piece means for both of said playing surfaces for being moved in the course of the game.

3. A game apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein:

(a) said playing piece means for said lower playing surface means comprise replicas of submarines and torpedos.

4. A game apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein:

(a) said playing piece means for said upper playing surface means comprising replicas of surface ships and depth charges.

5. A game apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein:

(a) said lower playing surface means comprising a translucent surface for diffusing the light evenly thereover.

6. A game apparatus for at least two players playing a game thereon comprising:

(a) a base with upright sides attached to the periphery thereof,

(b) spaced apart upper and lower playing surfaces secured internally of said sides,

(0) playing piece means for both of said upper and lower playing surfaces,

((1) lighting means for said lower playing surface,

(c) said lighting means being responsive to switch means controlled by one of the two players for lighting at least a portion of said lower surface and said playing piece means thereon at the appropriate time when required and necessary during the playing of a game on said game apparatus,

(f) said upper playing surface comprising a translucent surface for maintaining invisible said playing piece means on said lower playing surface until said lighting means for said lower playing surface is lighted,

(g) said upper playing surface being divided by markings into playing spaces,

(h) said lower playing surface being divided into a plurality of separately lighted compartments, each compartment comprising the area of more than two playing spaces,

(i) said switch means comprising separate switch means for each of said separately lighted compartments, and

(j) said lighting means being responsive to said separate switch means for lighting each compartment separately.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1937 Sass 273130 1/1938 Thomas 273134 X 8/1944 Householder 273136 X 7/1957 Lyons 273136 10/1957 Goldfinger et al 273-1 1/1962 Erickson 273-136 FOREIGN PATENTS 4/1954 France.

4/ 1916 Germany.

1/1917 Great Britain.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner 

